Breast volume or asymmetry concerns
By The Treatment Registry editors
Patients seek breast surgery for volume change (augmentation or reduction), asymmetry correction, ptosis (sagging) management, or post-mastectomy reconstruction. The appropriate procedure depends on the patient's underlying anatomy, breast volume, skin envelope, ptosis grade, and goals. Combined procedures (e.g. augmentation-mastopexy) are technique-sensitive and have higher revision rates than either component alone.
Treatment ladder
Conservative options are first-line where appropriate; surgical options are typically reserved for cases where lower-tier options are unsuitable or have failed. Decisions are individual and depend on clinical assessment.
Conservative
- External prosthesis or padded clothing
Non-surgical option for asymmetry or post-mastectomy. Reversible and risk-free; not appropriate when the patient seeks permanent volume change.
- Lipofilling (autologous fat transfer)
Modest volume increase using the patient's own fat. Fewer foreign-body risks than implants; volume retention is partial (typically 50-70%) so multiple sessions may be required.
Procedural
- Mastopexy (breast lift) without implant
Reshaping of breast tissue with skin envelope adjustment but no volume increase. Suitable for ptosis without volume deficit.
Surgical
- Breast augmentation · View procedure page
Implant-based augmentation. Implant choice (saline vs cohesive silicone, smooth vs textured, round vs anatomic) and pocket placement (subglandular vs submuscular vs dual plane) significantly affect long-term outcomes including capsular contracture and revision risk.
- Breast reduction (reduction mammoplasty)
Reduction in breast volume with skin envelope adjustment. Often produces meaningful relief of musculoskeletal symptoms in addition to aesthetic change.
- Augmentation-mastopexy (combined)
Combined volume increase and lift in a single operation. Significantly higher revision rate than either component alone; some surgeons prefer staging.